GEMMS IDGEMMS-PERSON-001523
NameRichard Baxter
Title
Gendermale
DenominationDissenter - Presbyterian
Livedb. 1615-11-12 - d. 1691-12-08 (old)
Linked Manuscriptsmanuscript owner - Assize sermon at Shrewsbury by Richard Baxter: MS 61.16 (Baxter Manuscripts)preacher - Notebook containing exposition of Isaiah V. 1-7, by Nehemiah Rogers, pastor at Messing in Essex. Printed in 1623. Also a lecture by Dr. Owen, on Psalm 141. 5.: GB 247 MS Gen 420
Linked SermonsA sermon on Hebrews 4:9, in four parts -- preacher (autograph: no)Sermon 1 on Philippians 3:10 -- preacher (autograph: no)Sermon 2 on Philippians 3:10 -- preacher (autograph: no)Sermon 3 on Philippians 3:10 -- preacher (autograph: no)Sermon on 1 Corinthians 1:10 -- preacher (autograph: no)Sermon on 1 Timothy 8:4 -- preacher (autograph: no)Sermon on 2 Chronicles 19:6 -- preacher (autograph: yes)Sermon on Acts 7:59 -- preacher (autograph: no)Sermon on Ecclesiastes 6:12 -- preacher (autograph: no)Sermon on Hebrews 12:14 -- preacher (autograph: no)Sermon on Job 9:4 -- preacher (autograph: no)Sermon on Proverbs 17:16 -- preacher (autograph: no)Sermon on Proverbs 23:28 -- preacher (autograph: no)
Linked ReportsList of Sermons Preached in London -- preacher?The Persons appointed to Preach before the King the insuing Lent -- preacher
Source of DataAnne James; David Robinson
Biographical Sources ConsultedODNB (Article: 1734).
Other NoteEjected minister and prolific writer of works of theology and especially Christian unity. Born in the village of Rowston, Shropshire on 12 November 1615 to Richard Baxter and Beatrice Adenay. He attended a grammar school in Wroxter led by John Owen, who persuaded him not to pursue studies at university but instead receive tutoring from Richard Wickestead in Ludlow, where Wickstead was chaplain to the council of the marches in Wales. This arrangement was unsuccessful but Baxter did not pursue higher education. Though he regretted this lack of formal education, his extensive reading earned himself a reputation as a learned divine. Despite his lack of formal education, Baxter was ordained deacon at Worcester in 1638, and may have proceeded to priesthood but there is no record of subsequent ordination. Around this time he was made master of a school at Dudley, Worcestershire before moving to Bridgenorth, Shropshire to serve as assistant to the vicar there. In 1641 he was invited by the parishioners of Kidderminster, Worcestershire to become lecturer there. His puritan views were met with some hostility and when the Civil War broke out he left Kidderminster, not to return until 1647. He served in various chaplaincy capacities during his absence, particularly as chaplain to a regiment commanded by Edward Whalley where he hoped to counter the spread of what he perceived as radical sectarian views. The Kidderminster congregation reinvited Baxter in 1647, where he returned and received less hostility than during his previous appointment. In the 1650s, he was active in the Worcestershire Voluntary Association of Ministers to work towards Christian unity. He welcomed the restoration of Charles II and was made one of his chaplains in June 1660 and preached before the king in July. He refused a bishopric on the grounds that it would hinder his goal of promoting religious unity. He outlined his views on Christian unity in several works including Universal Concord and The True Catholick and Catholic Church Described. With other Presbyterians, he met the king in 1660 to offer proposals for the new church order. This was followed by his participation in the Savoy Conference the next year. Ejected in 1660. Married Margaret Charlton in 1662 and they moved to Acton, Middlesex where he regularly preached to a congregation gathered in his house, after himself attending the parish church on Sunday mornings, until his brief arrest in 1669. Licensed as a "Nonconforming minister " in 1672, he preached in a number of congregations, but did not form his own. Died on 8 December 1691.
GEMMS record createdMay 17, 2017
GEMMS record last editedApril 29, 2020